OOAK Table Tennis Forum

I am looking at used tables on craigslist, and have noticed the outdoor tables all have aluminum tops. That sounds strange to me, and I was just wondering what people thought about the differences in the various table tops out there. I assume the regulation ones are all the same, but I am looking for something just for fun with friends in my basement, so it doesn't need to be perfect, and I don't want to spend a ton. Here is the specific table I am considering, for $200, which sells for $450 at sears:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00626315000P?vName=Fitness+%26+Sports&keyword=pungo

Would the aluminum top be incredibly awkward? Will it make a "ping" sound every time the ball bounces on it? Will it have essentially the same bounce as other tables?

Thanks in advance for the help! As you can see, I'm very new to this.

The aluminium top tables don't really bounce correctly. These are outdoor tables meant to withstand all sorts of weather conditions.

If you're not leaving the table outdoors in the rain, buy a proper 18mm or thicker MDF table.

_________________
Chasse Patate

Thanks for the response. The only reason I like the idea of the outdoor table is because then my friends couldn't ruin it by setting or spillilng their beers on the table...and I have some pretty careless friends, and will probably be having some parties where I could easily foresee a table getting ruined. Could you tell me what the sears site means when it says the top is "encapsulated aluminum?" Is it just a sprayed on top, or can you actually tell by look and touch that it is completely different from other tables? What about the bounce is different? Is it softer, harder, or just less consistent?

Also, please keep in mind that this is only for fun, and I'm not trying to have any competitions on the thing.

Thanks!

If it's just for fun it will probabyl be fine... it's just not going to bouch the same as a proper table, how close it will be I don't know.

You'll probably get used to it regardless, as long as you don't use it for practice for your proper games on real table, since it will probably ruin your game

_________________
OOAK Table Tennis Shop | Re-Impact Blades | Butterfly Table Tennis bats
Setup1: Re-Impact Smart, Viper OX, Victas VS 401 Setup2: Re-Impact Barath, Dtecs OX, TSP Triple Spin Chop 1.0mm Setup3: Re-Impact Dark Knight, Hellfire OX, 999 Turbo
Recent Articles: Butterfly Tenergy Alternatives | Tenergy Rubbers Compared | Re-Impact User Guide

regular MDF tables have a laminate covering, so liquids generally won't absorb through (unless it's been pooling there for a fair while).

Stiga does sell an outdoor table that's made from Marine ply or something.

_________________
Chasse Patate